George Mueller was a German-born evangelist who lived in the 19th century and was mostly known for his love and devotion to orphans. He dedicated his life and ministry to providing shelter, food and education for over 10,000 children during his lifetime. Yesterday morning during my quiet time, I came across a story about him that gave me pause. Mueller was aboard a ship, crossing the Atlantic for an important meeting in Quebec. A dense fog had descended, making it impossible for the vessel to Continue Reading
Letting Go of the Past (Atlanta Journal Column)
Our conversation was going well. We talked about our children, the weather and other trivial topics. I had learned to keep our conversations quite superficial. But unfortunately, we had enough time in our hands for the inevitable. The past was knocking at the door and my friend just had to let it in. Have you ever been around someone who just cannot let go of the past? Has it ever been you? These types of personalities can be met everywhere and each family has at least one. They drag Continue Reading
You Don’t Have to Explain What You Don’t Say (Atlanta Journal Column)
I spotted the small plaque from across the dusty garage, propped in the middle of a table filled with knickknacks. As I drew near, its powerful message spoke loudly to my soul. The garage sale was full of valuable items, former belongings of a life that was now gone. I browsed the beautiful antiques, crystals and collections, firmly holding onto the one piece of visible wisdom Ms. Sarah had left behind. I didn’t buy anything else from her daughters, but that one small glimpse of their mother’s Continue Reading
“Striving for a Purpose-Filled Life” (My Column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
I was sitting at our dining room table, pregnant with our younger daughter, slowly going through the motions of the day. The cup of decaf coffee rested on the table, untouched. Before me, I had my Bible open to a page which showed highlighted marks of much rereading of the same passage. Just days before, I had decided to study once again the Gospel of John. The dear apostle’s love story about the Savior has long been one of my favorites. I was feeling a bit lost, in a spiritual desert, Continue Reading
Expecting Change without Changing {Insanity} (Atlanta Journal Constitution Column)
“You know when you are sailing and you lose the wind? What do you do? You try a different tack. You need to try a different tack with your son.” I hit the pause button on the episode of my favorite TV show and picked up a notepad. The powerful visual was too good to dismiss. It is true and I could certainly relate. I used to go sailing in a bay in the shores of South Brazil, and what the character described is exactly what often happened when I reached the open ocean with my small Laser boat. Continue Reading
God’s Joy Can Shine Amidst Crisis (Atlanta Journal Constitution Column)
Mary was a poor lady who worked as a maid for a wealthy family. She was a joyful Christian who regulary performed her hard labor while singing songs of praise. She always had a word of encouragement and a smile on her face, regardless of her circumstances. Her boss was a sullen woman who was bothered by Mary’s apparent lack of concern for her future. One day, when Mary carried a happy tune while scrubbing the mansion’s floor, her boss couldn’t take it any longer. She blurted out all of her Continue Reading
